Photoshop Redo: Adding Cottage Character

“We love our sweet little house, but it sure could use some curb appeal,” says Leigh Hoskins, who lives in this 1939 house with her husband, Doug, in Huntsville, Alabama. So we called on local for some ideas.

“The brick entry is overly massive—you can barely see the front door,” says Thomas. His solution: an airy portico to make it more welcoming. Replacing the brick columns on the enclosed porch with fiber-cement pilasters and an arch detail echoes the entry. Exchanging acrylic window panels for large screened openings restores the porch’s breezy appeal. Fiber-cement trim boards, including a new water table, give the facade more architectural character, as do a round attic vent, roof corbels, and divided-light windows. Says Leigh, “The house looks great! Opening up that front porch really makes a difference.”

Adds architectural detail to the facade—and helps air circulate in the attic.

Creamy beige brightens the house; taupe trim adds a little flair. Red draws eyes to the front door.

Benjamin Moore’s , , and ; $70 per gallon

A pair of lanterns add symmetry and ample light to the entry; their aged-copper finish lends a touch of rustic charm.

; $85 each

A layer of thin brick warms up the front steps and matches the existing chimney and foundation.

; $8 per square foot

Simple Craftsman-style urethane supports hold up well in a hot, humid climate.

; $36 each